193:, and the government strictly limited this right in practice. The government prohibited the establishment of political parties or any group it considered as opposing the regime or challenging the King's authority. All associations must therefore be licensed and comply with its rules and regulations. The HRFS have had no response to their request for a governmental license, however, they have continued to pursue their purpose. As the group is formally 'unlicensed', it remains unclear which group activities are permitted and which could draw punishment from the government. Furthermore, without a license the group may not raise any operating funds which consequently limits its activities. Despite this, as of 2016, the HRFS continues to operate independently as a non-government organisation and is still recognised by governmental organisations.
380:
In working toward promoting and defending the rule of law, protecting freedoms of expression and association, and abolishing discrimination in Saudi society, the HRFS has compiled a report on the rule of law in Saudi Arabia and its impact on the freedoms of the Saudi people titled "Unholy
Trespass:
201:
The aim of the HRFS is to ultimately defend and protect against human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. The HRFS believes in freedom of expression and association, as well as condemning all discrimination against gender or religious beliefs in Saudi
Arabian society. The Human Rights First Society
384:
The report holds that many of the unwritten laws in Saudi Arabia are "enormously regressive" and "ultimately lethal" to human rights. A nation state has a legal obligation to abide by and to enact legislation cogent with the treaties it has ratified. Furthermore, pursuant to the law of treaties, a
222:
and the founder and president of the Human Rights First
Society (Saudi Arabia). Despite being previously imprisoned for political activism and barred from travel, al-Mugaiteeb continues to condemn human rights abuses and speak out against discrimination. Although al-Mugaiteeb was denied a licence
181:
In 2002, HRFS was created and led by
Ibrahim al-Mugaiteeb whom applied to the Saudi government for legal recognition of the group. However, the application was denied. Although the HRFS was not granted governmental status, As of 2009, it remained unrecognised, but was allowed by the government to
209:
In fulfilling the role of the HRFS to protect the freedom of expression and association as well as condemning discrimination, the HRFS may release reports to Saudi officials as a recommendation. The reports essentially serve as a 'road map' as to whether certain laws in Saudi are in violation of
408:
and denying women equal legal rights The report then discusses how those laws give the Saudi government broad powers to abuse the human rights of Saudi citizens, with particular attention given to the vulnerability of women, religious minorities, migrant workers and children
Finally, the report
296:
newspaper that women will not be able to run as candidates or vote in the elections. In response to this admission, Saudi election officials gave logistical concerns for this reasoning such as the lack of separate voting booths for women, and the fact women did not have identification cards.
210:
international human rights conventions or treaties, or that these laws, when they exist, are not respected by the Saudi authorities. As well as making recommendations to officials, the HRFS may also welcome measures by government officials to create more accepted laws.
328:
over human rights took place in front of government ministry buildings in Saudi Arabia throughout 2011 and into 2012. Anti-government protests demanding release of prisoners held without charge or trial continued in various cities in addition to protests demanding a
270:. This article is relevant for the purposes of the HRFS in which it will use all peaceful means to advocate that the Saudi government respects this article in situations where human rights violations may become evident.
166:
287:
were the first to be held in Saudi Arabia since the 1960s. In the elections, male citizens over the age of 21 were able to vote for half of the members of their municipal councils. On 11 October 2004, Prince
599:
409:
demonstrates where the Saudi government fails to adhere to its own domestic laws in the practice of its treatment of Saudi citizens, violating human rights which it has itself professed to protect in its
568:
223:
permitting his organisation to function as a government organisation, he continues to operate the HRFS in the
Kingdom at his own risk and has done so since the introduction of the HRFS in 2002.
266:
Article 26 of the Basic Law of
Governance holds that "The State shall protect human rights in accordance with the Sharia". Sharia is the religious legal system governing the members of the
173:. The HRFS stands for applying the rule of law, freedoms of expression and association, and abolishing all discrimination in Saudi society on the basis of gender or religious beliefs.
868:
312:
in that women would not be allowed to participate. He said that the minimum criteria for the elections should include all members being elected by the voters, women should
696:
772:
1053:
352:, HRFS said that 100 protestors remained under arrest following the 15–18 March protests in and near Qatif and that some had been tortured. Alongside the HRFS, the
826:
591:
301:
felt that the fact the officials gave practical reasons for this non-participation rather than religious or gender reasons was a success for women's campaigning
337:
for the
Eastern province. Throughout the duration of the protests, a number of protesters were shot dead by Saudi authorities following chants aimed against the
243:
embodying the Basic Law of
Governance for Saudi Arabia. After taking into consideration the interests of the public and with a view to progress the State, the
552:
206:
and support victims of human rights violations, using "all peaceful means to advocate that the Saudi government respects and defends all human rights."
923:"ACPRA Demands the Immediate Unconditional Release of its Co-Founder, Mohammed al-Bejadi". Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association 11 March 2011.
777:
891:
1058:
854:
385:
State that has signed but not ratified a treaty is obliged to refrain from "acts which would defeat the object and purpose" of that treaty.
1038:
353:
158:
1063:
1043:
457:
1048:
309:
305:
284:
700:
989:
782:
169:. The HRFS was initiated as an organisation dedicated to protecting and defending human rights in Saudi Arabia according to
342:
364:
on 21 March by the
Internal Security Agency. The protests continued calling for the release of these prisoners, for the
975:
The Effect of Ratification by the Parties is to Make a Treaty Binding" International Law: A treatise, Volume 1 page 676
162:
637:"Unholy Trespass: How the Saudi Legal Code Violates International Law" Human Rights First Society - Saudi Arabia 2010
232:
325:
18:
This article is about the Saudi Arabian human rights organisation. For the US-based human rights organisation, see
840:
462:
401:
372:, for equal representation in key offices and for reforms in political positions, as they feel marginalised.
661:
647:
422:
807:
502:
388:
The report details the areas in which the Saudi Legal Code is a violation of Human Rights Law including:
349:
289:
218:
As of March 2011, Ibrahim al-Mugaiteeb is the head of HRFS. al-Mugaiteeb is a leading human rights
901:
427:
410:
244:
186:
1018:
954:
556:
357:
675:
157:. It is one of the few independent groups in Saudi Arabia monitoring human rights, along with the
203:
154:
365:
190:
934:"Shia Muslims Protest in Eastern Saudi Arabia". International Business Times. 16 April 2011.
467:
863:
236:
8:
313:
1023:
542:
Saudi Arabia: Briefing on the Current Status of Human Rights and Reform, October 4, 2006
405:
19:
722:
973:
397:
560:
495:"Human Rights First Society - Human Rights Monitoring and Advocacy in Saudi Arabia"
142:
896:
308:
would "be of very little significance" if they were held in a similar way to the
298:
252:
134:
564:
621:
1032:
1019:
Unholy Trespass: How the Saudi Legal Code Violates International Human Rights
956:
Unholy Trespass: How the Saudi Legal Code Violates International Human Rights
404:
and prolonged detention, secretive and unfair trial proceedings, torture and
393:
338:
381:
How the Saudi Legal Code Violates International Human Rights" (The Report).
167:
Association for the Protection and Defense of Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia
389:
330:
248:
150:
146:
76:
62:
529:
334:
553:"Women remain barred from voting as Saudi Arabia announces elections"
1013:
859:
361:
219:
107:
247:
came into force on 1 March 1992. The Basic Law of Governance is a
811:
592:"Saudi police 'open fire on civilians' as protests gain momentum"
369:
345:, Nayef, calling them "terrorists", "butchers" and "criminals".
990:"The 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, Article 18"
293:
256:
240:
1008:
691:
689:
687:
685:
494:
267:
260:
170:
98:
682:
545:
765:
226:
316:, and the voting age should be decreased from 21 to 18".
802:
800:
797:
624:. Center for Human Rights Documentation and Research.
808:"Saudi Shi'ites Call for Bahrain Troop Withdrawal"
662:"Saudi Activists Face Long Fight for Human Rights"
304:HRFS' head, Ibrahim al-Mugaiteeb, stated that the
883:
583:
524:
522:
520:
360:to be released following his arbitrary arrest in
1054:Human rights organisations based in Saudi Arabia
1030:
847:
413:and which is protected under international law.
843:. The Global Mail, Jess Hill. 24 February 2012.
678:. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.
736:"Saudi Arabia Holds Municipal Elections". CNN.
517:
319:
292:, the Saudi interior minister, announced to a
892:"Hundreds of Saudi Shi'ites protest in east"
889:
633:
631:
354:Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association
159:Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association
855:"Saudi urged to free 100 Shiite protesters"
747:"Saudi Women Can't Vote, Run in Elections".
489:
487:
485:
213:
628:
375:
273:
824:
676:"2008 Human Rights Report: Saudi Arabia"
648:"Saudi Polls, Aid Sweeteners Not Enough"
589:
482:
458:"2008 Human Rights Report: Saudi Arabia"
452:
450:
448:
446:
444:
442:
356:(ACPRA) called for the ACPRA co-founder
841:"The Growing Rebellion in Saudi Arabia"
227:The Basic Law for Governing the Kingdom
1031:
949:
947:
945:
943:
941:
306:2011 Saudi Arabian municipal elections
176:
827:"Saudi Police Open Fire on Civilians"
571:from the original on 11 November 2011
439:
251:-like charter in accordance with the
1009:Human Rights First Society (English)
825:Cockburn, Patrick (5 October 2011).
602:from the original on 25 January 2012
590:Cockburn, Patrick (5 October 2011).
1039:2002 establishments in Saudi Arabia
1014:Human Rights First Society (Arabic)
938:
138:
13:
871:from the original on 30 March 2012
650:. Omar Hasan, Mail & Guardian.
466:. 25 February 2009. Archived from
163:Society for Development and Change
14:
1075:
1064:Saudi Arabian democracy movements
1044:Organizations established in 2002
1002:
505:from the original on 2 March 2011
233:Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques
26:Human Rights First Society (HRFS)
1059:2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests
1049:Organizations of the Arab Spring
1024:Human Rights Watch: Saudi Arabia
982:
966:
927:
916:
833:
818:
781:. 24 March 2011. Archived from
751:
740:
729:
715:
668:
654:
890:Jason Benham (25 March 2011).
814:, Jason Benham. 17 March 2011.
640:
614:
536:
463:United States State Department
1:
759:Interview: Dr Hatoon al-Fassi
697:"The Basic Law of Governance"
532:. Human Rights First Society.
433:
348:On 24 March 2011, during the
962:, Human Rights First Society
622:"Human Rights First Society"
423:Human rights in Saudi Arabia
278:
7:
416:
350:2011 Saudi Arabian protests
320:2011 Saudi Arabian protests
38:; 22 years ago
10:
1080:
499:Human Rights First Society
237:Fahd Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud
127:Human Rights First Society
17:
428:Basic Law of Saudi Arabia
245:'Basic Law of Governance'
93:
85:
69:
58:
50:
32:
664:. Trib live, Betsy Hiel.
557:The National (Abu Dhabi)
358:Mohammed Saleh al-Bejadi
310:2005 municipal elections
214:Structure and leadership
204:human rights violations
196:
155:Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
149:which seeks to promote
139:جمعية حقوق الإنسان أولا
28:جمعية حقوق الإنسان أولا
376:Unholy Trespass Report
366:Peninsula Shield Force
274:Statements and reports
259:and does not override
191:freedom of association
396:, criminalization of
368:to be withdrawn from
290:Nayef bin Abd al-Aziz
343:Minister of Interior
89:"All peaceful means"
54:Ibrahim al-Mugaiteeb
285:municipal elections
177:Founding and status
29:
829:. The Independent.
406:capital punishment
182:exist informally.
25:
20:Human Rights First
867:. 24 March 2011.
567:. 23 March 2011.
530:"About: The HRFS"
400:and association,
394:invasion of homes
255:understanding of
189:does not address
171:Islamic teachings
123:
122:
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997:
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994:
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951:
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920:
914:
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911:
909:
904:on 29 March 2011
900:. Archived from
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876:
851:
845:
844:
837:
831:
830:
822:
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815:
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795:
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785:on 21 March 2012
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703:on 23 March 2014
699:. Archived from
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402:arbitrary arrest
202:aims to monitor
143:non-governmental
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596:The Independent
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470:on 2 April 2011
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299:Hatoon al-Fassi
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239:issued a Royal
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187:Saudi Basic Law
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145:and non-profit
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99:hrfssaudiarabia
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778:Karavali Times
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906:. Retrieved
902:the original
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873:. Retrieved
858:
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787:. Retrieved
783:the original
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742:
731:
723:"Sharia Law"
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705:. Retrieved
701:the original
670:
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642:
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604:. Retrieved
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573:. Retrieved
547:
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507:. Retrieved
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472:. Retrieved
468:the original
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390:Surveillance
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261:Islamic laws
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151:human rights
147:organisation
130:
126:
124:
77:Saudi Arabia
63:Human rights
15:
773:"Saudi aid"
398:free speech
335:legislature
314:participate
1033:Categories
606:15 January
434:References
565:Bloomberg
283:The 2005
279:Elections
104:(English)
908:25 March
875:25 March
869:Archived
860:Al Ahram
789:24 March
600:Archived
575:22 March
569:Archived
509:24 March
503:Archived
474:25 March
417:See also
362:Buraidah
326:protests
220:activist
165:and the
119:(Arabic)
70:Location
65:advocacy
812:Reuters
411:own law
370:Bahrain
294:Kuwaiti
235:, King
153:in the
141:) is a
94:Website
59:Purpose
51:Founder
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33:Founded
257:Sharia
253:Salafi
241:Decree
161:, the
135:Arabic
116:/spdhr
114:/saudi
110:.anhri
86:Method
993:(PDF)
960:(PDF)
761:, PBS
707:1 May
324:Many
910:2011
877:2011
791:2011
709:2016
608:2012
577:2011
511:2011
476:2011
392:and
341:and
333:and
231:The
197:Aims
185:The
131:HRFS
125:The
112:.net
101:.org
43:2002
36:2002
864:AFP
108:www
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561:AP
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129:(
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